Outside the Temple
Waver cautiously scanned his surroundings before looking ahead.
Even with his lackluster magical talent, he could sense a distinct aura emanating from the backyard of this traditional Japanese building.
That aura was identical to the one coming from the "void" in the sky.
—The Greater Holy Grail!
No doubt about it, the true Greater Holy Grail was in the backyard of this building!
"Rider, why don't we go straight to the backyard?" Thinking about it, he couldn't help but ask. "Even if the Greater Holy Grail hasn't fully descended, maybe we could do something with it..
And Saber's former Master is likely on Enzou Mountain. If she gets there first, it'll be trouble.."
"No need to rush. It's too late to hurry now anyway," The Conqueror King said, staring ahead. "And the term 'former Master' can be dropped now."
Hearing his words, Waver froze, his expression stiffening.
Realizing something, he said.
"You mean they've reconciled..? No, wait, didn't Saber just have a big fight with her not long ago? How could they.."
"Women are fickle creatures, aren't they? Looks like you don't understand them at all, Master," the Conqueror King said with a hearty laugh.
Despite the dangerous environment, he maintained his usual rugged demeanor, seemingly oblivious to the peril.
"Who said I don't understand?! And can you stop joking in such a serious situation?!" Waver groaned, clutching his face in despair.
"Saber's Master is already troublesome enough on her own.
If Saber really has gone back to her side.."
Just thinking about that scenario filled Waver with a deep sense of powerlessness.
"Getting scared before even seeing the enemy? That's not like you, Master," The Conqueror King laughed boisterously, then looked toward the backyard. "Besides, the one who's really under pressure isn't us."
No Servant or Master in this Holy Grail War would let Manaka Sajyou approach the Greater Holy Grail unchecked...
If Alvin was truly staying here to protect her, it meant he'd have to face all the other Servants as enemies.
He was the one under the most pressure.
Waver's eye twitched slightly.
He faintly sensed an aura locking onto him.
Then, a young man's calm voice echoed across the empty front courtyard.
"The Conqueror King, huh..?
I didn't expect you to be the first to reach Enzou Mountain."
Hearing this, Waver's heart skipped a beat as he quickly pinpointed the source of the voice and looked up at the rooftop.
The frigid night wind howled, heavy snow falling in flurries, covering the eaves in a thick layer of silver.
In the faint light, a slender figure in a black cloak sat amidst the snow, his eyes peering through a white mask, quietly observing them.
It was none other than...
The White Dragon of Britain!
His mana was stronger than ever before, so much so that even Waver could vaguely sense just how dangerous Saber was at this moment.
The Conqueror King smiled and said: "Saber, looks like you and that little girl have made up, huh?"
Alvin nodded.
"Good. It'd be boring if you were missing from this Holy Grail War,"
The Conqueror King said, his gaze shifting to the backyard. "Just to confirm.. is your Master tampering with the Greater Holy Grail back there?"
Alvin nodded but then shook his head: "She needs to purify the corruption in the Greater Holy Grail, so she can't be disturbed by anyone for now."
The Conqueror King let out a "heh" and said. "So you're here to stop any Servants from reaching the backyard to get to her?"
Waver's heart jolted.
He knew Saber was the most troublesome Servant in this Holy Grail War, especially with a Master who seemed to provide near-infinite mana.
But no matter how powerful a Servant was, they couldn't take on multiple opponents at once, right?
Not to mention, just Rider and Archer alone would be enough to give Saber a headache.
Yet in this situation, instead of fleeing with his Master, he was standing guard alone in the front courtyard, blocking anyone from approaching.
..Was this absolute confidence, or was he being overly blind to his own strength?
Seeing Alvin's noncommittal response, the Conqueror King merely gave a faint smile.
"Tonight, I had a good talk with the Hero King about what it means to be a king. I'm curious, do you have any unique insights on kingship?"
To be honest, even though this guy was like this...Alvin had always respected this rugged yet thoughtful emperor.
So, even though, he found such things troublesome, after thinking about it for a moment, he sighed lightly.
"You're asking the wrong person, Rider."
"I'm not a king, nor do I have the capacity to be one.. If anything, I just want to serve my king and help her govern her kingdom. That's all."
Hearing this, the Conqueror King couldn't help but pause for a moment.
He had visited a library a few days ago and read up on stories about ancient Britain, so he had some understanding of the White Dragon.
A vile king, yearning to revive the Age of Gods, cruel and violent..
That was history's description of the White Dragon.
Yet, from their interactions in this Holy Grail War, that description.. seemed to have some issues.
"Alright, serving your king loyally as a vassal, that's something worthy of respect," The Conqueror King said.
"Saber, let me ask you one last question."
He spoke, as he leaned against his chariot, his gaze deep and piercing as he looked at the young man before him. "Would you be willing to join my ranks, and after the Holy Grail War ends, lift the 'Holy Grail' of victory with me?"
Alvin paused for a moment, then chuckled. "Rider, are you asking me to abandon my Master and even King Arthur to become one of your soldiers?"
"Would you even be interested in someone who betrays their former lord?"
The Conqueror King froze for a second, then scratched his head, letting out a relieved laugh.
"You're right. If you abandoned your Master tonight, I probably wouldn't respect you either."
Regardless of Manaka Sajyou's true intentions or whether she was cheating.. one thing was certain, Alvin had always been her sword and shield, loyally standing guard here.
This loyalty of a Servant to their Master.. he shouldn't have invited him to join his side.
Instead, he should face him with full commitment.
"My words tonight were indeed a bit abrupt. My apologies,"
The Conqueror King said, gazing at the young man on the rooftop. He spoke slowly: "As a warrior, the greatest respect is shown on the battlefield."
For a fleeting moment, the cold wind seemed to freeze.
Boom..
The surrounding environment rippled like a lake's surface, quietly transforming.
The heavy snow from moments ago vanished, replaced by an endless expanse of yellow sand.
The Conqueror King's Reality Marble Noble Phantasm.. Ionioi Hetairoi?
Alvin immediately realized what was happening.
An EX-rank Noble Phantasm, Ionioi Hetairoi was a Reality Marble that continuously summoned the Conqueror King's former subordinates as independent Servants to fight the enemy.
Every single member of this army was a genuine Heroic Spirit.
The current battlefield was the manifestation of the shared mental world of this entire army.
This world had no cover, only a scorching sun and swirling sandstorms.
The reason this mental world took the form of a vast plain was because it was the land once conquered by the army led by the Conqueror King.
This was also the Conqueror King's ultimate Noble Phantasm..
To think he'd unleash it right from the start without any probing.
Thinking about it, Alvin's expression grew more serious as he scanned his surroundings, soon drawn to the clanging sound of armor colliding.
He looked up to see the rugged, red-haired man, his cloak billowing in the wind, astride a majestic steed.
Behind the Conqueror King, Iskandar, stood an army of thousands.
Raising his right arm, Iskandar let out a thunderous roar. "The enemy is the mythical creature known as the White Dragon of Britain, worthy to be our opponent."
"Warriors, show the White Dragon our hegemony!"
Behind him, countless soldiers raised their weapons, shouting in unison.
Iskandar looked at Alvin, standing alone, and spread his arms wide, his voice brimming with pride. "Saber, this is what I wanted you to witness with your own eyes—my Ionioi Hetairoi!"
.
.
.